The researchers tested sucralose on stem cells and found that — for an amount equivalent to four cans of diet soda — it increased markers of fat production and inflammation in genes.“Many health-conscious individuals like to consume low-calorie sweeteners as an alternative to sugar. However, there is increasing scientific evidence that these sweeteners promote metabolic dysfunction,” said Dr. Sen, who is also an associate professor of Medicine and Endocrinology at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.